Studying at the University of Verona

Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.

Study Plan

The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University.
Please select your Study Plan based on your enrollment year.

1° Year

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
One module to be chosen between the following
One module to be chosen between the following
6
B
ING-IND/25
One module to be chosen between the following
One module to be chosen between the following

2° Year  It will be activated in the A.Y. 2026/2027

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
One module to be chosen between the following
One module to be chosen among the following
Further activities (students who didn't have B2 English level at the time of registration: 3 credits of language skills + 3 credits of training. Students who did have B2 certificate: 6 credits of training)
6
F
-
Final exam
36
E
-
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
One module to be chosen between the following
One module to be chosen between the following
6
B
ING-IND/25
One module to be chosen between the following
One module to be chosen between the following
It will be activated in the A.Y. 2026/2027
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
One module to be chosen between the following
One module to be chosen among the following
Further activities (students who didn't have B2 English level at the time of registration: 3 credits of language skills + 3 credits of training. Students who did have B2 certificate: 6 credits of training)
6
F
-
Final exam
36
E
-
Modules Credits TAF SSD
Between the years: 1°- 2°
Two modules to be chosen among:
- 1st year - Microbial ecology, Genetics and biotechnology of no-food crops, Sustainable agriculture - delivered in 2025/2026
- 2nd year - Environmental microbiology and bioremediation, Sustainable phytopathogen management, Climate change and soil functions - delivered in 2026/2027
Between the years: 1°- 2°

Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)

TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.




S Placements in companies, public or private institutions and professional associations

Teaching code

4S013612

Coordinator

Nicola Vitulo

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Period

1st semester dal Oct 1, 2025 al Jan 30, 2026.

Courses Single

Authorized with reserve

Learning objectives

Over the last decade the technological improvements of sequencing technologies (Next Generation Sequencing, NGS) had an enormous impact on the understanding of the genomes complexity and had provided interesting opportunities for the development of bioinformatics tools and programs for data analysis and management. The course aims to provide a general overview of the different computational methods applied in the field of NGS and omics science. These new technologies, which made possible to move from a reductionist to a holistic approach, have made it necessary to develop new strong interdisciplinary methods for data interpretation and integration. The course will provide students with basic knowledge on bioinformatics tools for the interpretation and integration of different omics data applied to the study of genomes, of gene expression and of metagenomic data for community analysis and microbial characterization. The course will also include a part performed in a computer lab where the computational programs necessary for the manipulation and interpretation of biological data will be illustrated.

Prerequisites and basic notions

No specific prerequisites are required. Basic knowledge of bioinformatics (e.g., sequence alignment) may be helpful but is not essential to better understand the program.

Program

1. Introduction to Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Data
2. Genome Assembly
3. Alignment of NGS Data to a Reference Genome
4. Genome Analysis
a. Gene Prediction and Annotation
5. Analysis of Transcriptomics and RNA-Seq Data
a. Gene Quantification b. Data Normalization
c. Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes
6. Comparative Genomics
a. Pangenome Creation
b. Resequencing and Variant Calling
7. Metagenomics
a. Metabarcoding
i. Marker Genes
ii. Sample Inference
iii. Taxonomic Assignment
b. Whole Metagenome Sequencing
i. Assembly
ii. Binning
iii. Annotation
c. Metatranscriptomics
d. Data Analysis
i. Ecological Metrics
ii. Differential Abundance

Didactic methods

The teaching methods adopted in the course are:
- Frontal lectures
- Computer laboratory exercises
- Reading and presentation of scientific articles

Learning assessment procedures

The exam consists of a written test of the student's knowledge of the topics covered in the course. The exam consists of six open-ended questions. Students must demonstrate their understanding of the operation and application of the main bioinformatics programs and approaches explained in class. Students who choose to complete the activity related to the presentation of a scientific paper may receive a bonus of up to 2 points added to their exam score.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), who intend to request the adaptation of the exam, must follow the instructions given HERE

Evaluation criteria

The level of understanding of the theoretical topics, knowledge of the functioning and application of the main bioinformatics programs and approaches, and linguistic competence, with particular attention to the use of appropriate scientific and technical terminology, will be assessed.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

Each question will be assigned a score of 10. The final grade will be scaled to 31. Grades above 30.5 will be awarded honors. The presentation of scientific articles is not mandatory; students who intend to submit a scientific article may receive a bonus of up to two points added to their exam grade.

Exam language

Italiano